Dispensing package



May 15, 1951 R. H. VAN SANT 2,553,071

DISPENSING PACKAGE ,Filed July 26, `19416 6 l ya Imfezz for 'o @f 15%@Wj Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 2,553,071 DIsPENsINGPACKAGE Robert H. Van Sant, Alexandria, Va.

Application July 26, 1946, Serial No. 686,597

(Cl. 20G-65) 1 claim. 1

This invention relates to holders and more particularly to those of aprotective nature, the invention having for its object to provide aconstruction which is simple in parts, easy of manufacture, and lesscostly than those heretofore proposed.

With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts as will be disclosedmore fully hereinafter and particularly covered by the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification and in which like numerals designate like parts in all theviews,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a holder made in accordance withthis invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevational View of a modication of the holderillustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a holder similar to that illustrated inFig. 2 but made in two halves provided with a hinge joint and a .lockingmeans for securing the two halves together; and

Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive are top plan views of various modications of asingle-cell type of holder.

There are many items on the market, and contemplated, which for onereason or another can be handled better if they are provided with aholder, and only by Way of example and not of limitation such items ascapsules and/or ampules are mentioned particularly if and when they aremade of frangible, gelatinous and/r plastic material. This inventioncontemplates a holder for either one or a plurality of capsule-likeitems, and the holder may be fashioned in the latter case to correspondwith the particular geometrical arrangement of the capsules in thegroup; that is to say, and as particularly illustrated in Fig. 3, thearrangement of the plurality of capsules rnaT be in a straight line, butthe capsules may be in other geometrical groupings or arrangements asfound desirable. Generally speaking, the holder will be so fashionedthat there will be a cell-like cavity therein for each of the capsulesof the group.

Whereas most capsules are of circular transverse section, the cell ofthe holder of this invention may have various cross-sectional shapes asattempted to illustrate in the showings of Figs. 4 to 10. In the case ofa capsule having, on its exterior surface, indentations or outstandingribs or other conformations departing from the typical continuouscircular surface, the holder may have a cell configuration asparticularly il- 2 lustrated in Figs. 6, '7, and 8 to conform with suchindentations, outstanding ribs or other departure from said typicalcontinuous circular shape.

In any event, the internal shape and dimension of the cell of the holderwill be such as to provide either entire or partial frictionalengagement with the exterior surface of the contained capsule, so thatsaid capsule will be gripped sulciently by the holder to makeunnecessary the provision of capsule-securing means, though if desiredthis invention contemplates also the' provision of an adhesive mediuminterposed between the outer surface of the capsule and the innersurface of the cell of the holder, and/or it additionally contemplatesthe treatment of the substance of the capsule with liquid or heatin'order to cause adhesion of these surfaces without the necessity of anadded adhesive medium.

With particular reference to Fig. 1, a holder generally identied by thenumeral 2 is provided for a plurality or group of similar hermeticallysealed liquid-containing capsules identied by the numeral 3, saidcapsules arranged in abutting re. lation with each other as indicated atLl, each capsule being generally cylindrical and rounded at one end asshown at 5 but having its opposite end drawn or reduced in diameter inorder to. provide a teat having a short tip portion 6 which may bereadily severed, cut or otherwise sundered as at the area I to open thecapsule and thus permit the escape of its liquid content as when thesundered area of the tip portion is moved over a body surface (skin) incontact therewith.

The holder in this ligure of illustration is m-ade in one piece with aplurality of cells, one for each capsule, an edge view of said holderbeing similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 except that the holder ofFig. 3 is made in two halves. In the modication shown in Fig. 1, thecapsules are inserted endwise into the holder 2 to be retained thereinin the general relative positions illustrated.

Prefer-ably, though not of necessity, the walls of each cell of theholder 2 are slightly tapered, inwardly directed or reduced at one end,as indicated at l0, to conform with and serve as a stop for the roundedend portion 5 of the inserted capsule, or internal lugs or projectionsmay be formed on the inner surface of the cell so that said capsule canbe pushed into said cell a distance which is limited as when the roundedend of the capsule seats in the constricted or tapered portion of theholder. This restricted wall portion of the holder cell may be truncatedas indicated in Fig. 1 tol 3 provide an opening permitting the extremerounded end of the inserted capsule to protrude therethrough and thus beexposed, or this portion of the holder cell may be so formed that saidrounded end will not protrude beyond the end of the cell thereby makingpossible a nat holder extremity that will serve as a base upon which theentire assemblage may be stood, particularly in order that a medicamentof light viscosity may notesoape (leak) and y.be lost from the capsuleafter unsealing, as might occur when the assemblage was laid upon itsside.

It is preferred, however, to have the truncated formation which providesan open end to the cell, for escape of air when the capsule is pressedinto its cell because, as heretofore stated, Athe-'outer surface of eachcapsule may bein entire Ycontact with the inner surf ace of its cell inorder that the capsule may be retainedby complete circumferentialfriction in the holder, and if the cell was closed `at its end-'therewould `be an entrapment of airrtherein which would `.prevent'the fullinsertion of the capsule and result in a possible misalignment of theteat .ends of the capsules in thegroup.

It is also preferred that'the 'holder have a corrugated or undulatinglouter .surface so lthat the holder may be gripped v'better 4'by thefingers, and to this end `the 'undulations vof said surface are formedsubstantially '.fcoaxial withY the .cylindrical inner surfaces of' thecells of 'the holder. The extent of the holder longitudinally of thecapsules ymay be made as desired, though it need be only `sufficient toestablish'positive retention Vof the ycapsules lin the holder and toprovide vsufiicient areaiforzgrasping by the fingers.

In the Ymodification illustrated in Fig. 2 :the extent of the holder'2,0 is made .greater than that of the holder 2, but `it "is otherwisesimilarly formed, and comprises afcorresponding truncated or otherwisereduced'end Acell portion .2| which, however, is formed to lseat theteat end of the inserted"capsule'instead ofthe completely rounded end 5.In other words,v with athis holder 2.6 the capsules are inserted in a'reverse manner to that indicatedin Fig. l, and the greater extent ofthis holder will of course result in vmore protection to the containedcapsule.

rReferring vto Fig. 3,"the holder generally identied bythe numeral 3Discmade in two halves V'as indicated at `3l! `and132said halves ,joinedvat one end by -a hinge-33 and provided at'their other ends Awith-anysuitable clamping or locking means as indicated at 34 whereby the twohalves aresecured together. vThis holder is otherwise A`formed similarlyto the holders -illustrated *in* Figs. l and 2. Y

Figs. .4 .to l10 inclusive illustrate endelevations of unitary cells ofholders'for single capsules having various cross-sectional shapes,though Ait will be understood that a holder Vfor a pluralityor group of'capsules (as illustrated in Figs. 1,' 2 and 3) can"be`mod`ied inaccordance with Ytheteachings of Figs. 4 to '110.Y According'to Fig;4lthe holder Vis adapted to contain a capsule of triangularcross-sectional shape; according rto Fig. 9 Vthe holder-will"conformtoa'capsule Y'of rectangular 'shape either square AOrptherWise;Aaccordinglto Fig."10 'the holder'is for a capsuleof other polygonalyshape-(such as a hexagon); and

according to Figs. to8 the'holder is generally of circular cross-sectionto receive andretain 'a correspondingly,lshap'edcapsule In Fig. 6-thecircular holderifhas 'its'. wall lprovided'wi-th -one'or moreinwardlyldirectedzportions f(of longitudinal afstaan extent orotherwise) such as 4i! to conform with indentations formed on the outersurface of its contained capsule; in Fig. '7 the circular holder has itswall provided `with one or more outwardly directed portions (oflongitudinal extent or otherwise) such as 50 to conform with ribs orprojections on the outer surface of its contained capsule; and theintent of Fig. 8 is to illustrate a generally circular holder havingdepartures in wall construction from those formations heretoforedescribed, such departures comprising an interior attened area Giland/or |an outwardly ldirected attened area l0, likewise conformingWithsimilar surface construction of the contained capsule. The specificconstructions of all of these gures, with the exception of that shown inFig. 5, will preventany rotation of a contained capsule about itslongitudinal axis while in the holder.

y'Theintent of this invention is to provide a holder the inner surfaceof the cell wall of which will, through entire or partial perimetric orAcircumferential contact, frictionally retain a capsule regardless ofthe specific outer sur-fface'configuration of the capsule. 'For example,`it -is conceivable that a capsule having inwardly extending surfaceindentations would iit and befretained in thecompletely`circularcellofthe holder indicated in Fig. 5; and .a capsule Shaving:outwardly extending surface areas would also 'be retained Vin theholder of Fig. `5 if said :capsule were made slightly smaller than theinternal :diameter of said holder, there being provided `sui-licientpartialcircumferential frictional engagement-of the `contacting surfaceareas fto result in .thesecurement of the capsule in the holder.

Additionally, it is conceivablexthat the cell of =a holder ymaycontaintwo Sor more capsules Vof complemental cross-.sectional shapes,each capsule cotting `with another due tothe Seidl-complementalformation. For example, a .circular cell may contain two semi-circularly.shaped capsules, a rectangular cell may 'contain two triangularly'shaped capsules or two or more smaller rectangular capsules,a'polygonal cell may contain a plurality of triangularly shaped Icapsulesor a, combination of rectangular land :triangular capsules, etc., or |acombination Vof variously formed capsules rmay `loe fitted within afcell when they have external surfaces which 'are Wholly or in partcomplementa-1 withY respect to each other. In-other words,'it is' onlyrequired that ther-outer surface of a capsule engage the'inner surfaceofthe holder 'cell at ,areas providing sufficient surface friction".therebetween'to result 'in the retention'of kthe capsule or capsulesint'he holder,` regardless of the otherwise specic zsurfaceconformatio-ns thereof.

There-fore,V in its broadestaspech this invention is directed -to theprovisionofa holderwhich will `retain capsules of 'regulanor various'eccentrici, shapes Ias rwell as a capsulejcf '-ashape which completelyconforms perimetrically tothe shape ofV the holder. Additicnally, itisconceivablethat the holder may be sofformed as itself to contain theliquid, to the exclusion of the provision-cfa capsule or ampule, wherebythe reduced .end-of the holder cell may be cut, severed orlotherwisesundere'd in order to'permite'scape ofits lcontained liquid.

'Theholder maybe formedof various materials such as metals, plastics,lgelatines, relatively stil fabrics, reticulate materials jsuch 'asscreening orl other skeleton-like formations, glass, .ceramics etc.,-said holder "bei-ng imoldedf'stamp-ed, rolled, orotherwise formed,eithericiold or' under 'the inuence cf heat and pressure, and may begiven coloration, ornamentation and/or other aesthetic appearance. Inaddition, the use of an adhesive tape, either singly or in combinationwith one of these holders, is contemplated as a means of securing acapsule in the cell of a holder, or in securing a plurality of capsulestogether as a group, it being considered unnecessary to particularlyillustrate this means of securement. If desired, suitable adhesive mediamay be employed to provide greater adhesion between a capsule and itscell, such media comprising the application of glues, cements, welds,etc., as Well as the employment of methods, ways and means resulting incohesion and/or adhesion brought about through application of partialsolvents, heat, pressure, etc.

According to this invention, a capsule is placed in a cell of theholder, the tip portion of the capsule is then severed or otherwisesundered to unseal the capsule, and then the holder is manipulated sothat the sundered area of the capsule is moved over a body surface(skin) in contact therewith, whereupon the liquid content of the capsuleby virtue of capillary action, and/or attraction is caused to flow fromthe capsule onto the body surface, the said sundered area of the capsuleconcurrently rendering a massaging effect. If the liquid in the capsulehas a relatively high viscosity, an easier ow thereof may be attained bycreating an air Vent as by puncturing the opposite or rounded end of thecapsule.

When the capsule or ampule is made of a Inaterial (such as glass ormetal) which will create a harsh or sharp edge to the sundered area,such as to cut or otherwise harm the body surface when moved in contactthereover, the sundered capsule may forceably be slipped bodily in theholder such as illustrated in Fig. 2 to bring the sunderedbody-contacting area substantially into the plane of the outer end ofthe restricted end portion of the holder cell, whereby the sharpness ofsaid area will be guarded by said outer end of the holder and cause nodamage to the body surface.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details ofconstruction and arrangements of parts without departing from the spiritof this invention and therefore it is desired not to be limited to theexact foregoing disclosure except as may be required by the claim.

What is claimed is:

A package comprising a plurality of similarly formed capsules containingmedicants, and a single holder for said capsules, each capsule having areduced end simulating a teat provided with a frangible end portion,each capsule further having a longitudinal axis and a substantiallyrigid exterior surface the elements of which are arranged in substantialsymmetry with respect to such axis, said holder comprising a unitarymember having two opposed relatively xed wall portions, said wallportions having oppositely facing complementally formed inner surfacesproviding together a series of pockets within which said capsules aredisposed in frictional engagement with said surfaces and insubstantially tangential relation with each other, the depth of eachpocket being less than the longitudinal length of its contained capsule,whereby the rangible end portions of said capsules project frcm theirpockets at all times and may be readily broken without removal of thecapsules from said pockets, the breaking of said end portions of saidcapsules permitting release of the znedicants contained in saidcapsules.

ROBERT H. VAN SANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,222,435 Martin Apr. 10, 19171,383,270 Henning June 28, 1921 1,470,150 Davis Oct. 9, 1923 1,495,800Recker May 27, 1924 2,086,300 Moria July 6, 1937 2,249,005 Karns July15, 1941 2,467,678 Lockhart Apr. 19, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 16,554 Great Britain 1910 61,006 Norway June 19, 1939 346,166Germany Dec. 24, 1921

